Land registry: what it is, what it contains and when it is required to sell a house

A land registry certificate is an official document issued by the Land Registry that describes the identity and characteristics of a property. Let's see why it is essential for buying and selling, what data it contains, and when it should be requested.

What is a land registry certificate?

A land registry is a document issued by the Revenue Agency - Land Registry Office that allows you to identify a property (building or land) through its technical, fiscal, and personal data.

It has no probative value, but it is essential for verifying the updated land registry status of a property.

What does it contain?

A cadastral survey provides information on:

• Identification data: sheet, parcel, sub-parcel
• Cadastral category: (e.g., A/2, C/1, etc.)
• Class, consistency, and cadastral income
• Property owners: names of owners, usufructuaries, holders of other real rights
• Address and location
• Cadastral municipality code
• Cadastral update data (if available)

When is it necessary?

The cadastral survey is one of the fundamental documents required to draw up a notarial deed.

It is required in various cases, including:

• Sale of a property
• Registration of a lease agreement
• Mortgage loan application
• Inheritance or donation
• Checking urban planning and cadastral compliance

Where can I request it?

You can obtain it in three ways:

• Online, through the Revenue Agency website (with SPID or CNS)
• At the Land Registry offices (Territorial Offices)
• Through a professional (surveyor, architect) or authorized CAF

Land registry certificate vs mortgage certificate: differences

The land registry focuses on the identification and income of the property. You must check that this is up to date in the cadastral registers before carrying out any real estate transaction.

If it is not, you must request a mortgage certificate from the registry office, where you can check the transcription of the deed of origin and verify any discrepancies.

Only the mortgage certificate can ascertain the actual ownership of a property. The mortgage certificate provides a list of notarial deeds registered at the Land Registry, such as:

• Sales
• Inheritances
• Donations
• Judgments, decrees, adverse possession
• Mortgage or foreclosure registrations

Would you like to check your land registry report before selling?

By relying on a Toscano agency, our expert consultants will help you collect and verify all the documents necessary to sell your home, including the land registry report and mortgage documentation.